Broncos face Chargers

Broncos Update

09/14/2003

The Denver Broncos hope to continue their winning ways today against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in a 2:15 MDT game.

San Diego as soft as its beaches - Denver Post - Woody Paige
Sunday, September 14, 2003 - SAN DIEGO - "The Race At Sunrise: Every morning a gazelle wakes up in Africa. It knows that it must run faster than the fastest lion, or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up. It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle, or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle. When the sun comes up, you had better be running."

QB draw - Denver Post - Anthony Cotton
Sunday, September 14, 2003 - Traditionally, he has been one of the most popular players with the fans of any NFL team. To be sure, appearances have played a major role in the allure of the third quarterback. Like something out of a Carly Simon song: baseball cap strategically dipped on top of his head, the look finished off with headphones and a clipboard, bleached white wristbands and a spotless uniform.

Nothing certain at Broncos QB spot - Denver Post - Adam Schefter
Sunday, September 14, 2003 - Lost in any discussion about the Broncos declining to carry a third quarterback this season are questions with XXXL implications for future seasons. Like: Who is going to be the backup quarterback next season?

Passing grade in sight - Denver Post - Adam Schefter
Sunday, September 14, 2003 - To some Broncos, the starting Chargers' defense they will face during today's 2:15 game is nothing more than a secret. "How many starters on their defense can I name?" asked Broncos wide receiver Ashley Lelie. "Hmmm. Kwamie Lassiter, Quentin Jammer, Marcellus Wiley, Donnie Edwards. Ummm, that other corner. I know there's a strong safety, but I can't think of his name. So that's about it right there.

Scouting Report - Denver Post - Patrick Saunders
Sunday, September 14, 2003 - After one week, the Broncos have the league's top-ranked rush offense, thanks to Clinton Portis. He ran for 120 yards last week in Cincinnati, and had 90 yards by halftime. The Chargers no longer have their longtime run stuffers - linebacker Junior Seau and safety Rodney Harrison - but with linebacker Donnie Edwards and defensive end Marcellus Wiley, the Chargers are capable of stopping the run.

Practice squad can be a start - Denver Post - Patrick Saunders
Sunday, September 14, 2003 - For most of the week, wide receiver Nate Jackson is like every other player on the Broncos' roster. He practices, studies film, lifts weights, gets treatment and prepares himself for Sunday. But he never plays on game day. He doesn't even suit up.

Portis extension in future - Denver Post - Adam Schefter
Sunday, September 14, 2003 - I am wondering, especially after this first game, why Mike Shanahan and the front office won't give Clinton Portis a nice, rewarding contract. The Broncos are inclined to throw lucrative contracts at unproven QBs, defensive linemen and cornerbacks. And here is Portis, going out each game and producing big numbers. What have you heard, if anything, is the reason for such ridiculous thinking?

Plummer, defense can't afford repeat - Daily Camera - Ryan Thorburn
September 14, 2003 - SAN DIEGO — By now you know and are tired of reading about Jake Plummer's woes in his Broncos debut. The 21.7 quarterback rating, the three interceptions, the inaccuracy executing a simple game plan, et al. But did you know that, despite four sacks, two interceptions and only 34 yards for Corey Dillon, Denver's defense didn't play up to coordinator Larry Coyer's expectations during the win in Cincinnati?

Plummer Unfazed In Face of Critiques - Denver Broncos.com - Andrew Mason
Sept. 10, 2003 - Six years and two teams ago, San Diego Chargers head coach Marty Schottenheimer craved Jake Plummer. When the Kansas City Chiefs were going through their paces in the 1997 NFL Draft, Schottenheimer and the team's brass began working the phones. The team had started four different quarterbacks in the previous four seasons, and had recently added former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Elvis Grbac. But the idea of adding Plummer, then a rookie from Arizona State, piqued the interest of Schottenheimer and the Chiefs.